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Healthy You Archives |
Coping with Illness
If You Need DialysisAs one local woman discovered, it can ‘give you your life back’
“The backbone of our family”—That’s how Adrienne Dorward of Whitehall describes her grandmother, Evelyn Dorward. “Now,” Adrienne says, “everyone in the family helps Nana with her meals and trips to the dialysis center.” Living Successfully With Dialysis
Helping a Friend on Dialysis
Dorward spent those two years in and out of the hospital, in the end gravely ill. Dialysis was her only option, she was told by kidney specialists Robert Weiss, D.O., and Arthur Levine, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network—but more than just extending her life, dialysis promised a better life. With her family’s help, Dorward has learned to live with the regimen. “Getting used to it was difficult,” she says, “but it did give me my life back. Now I watch TV or sleep while I’m hooked up to the machine.” How dialysis works“Essentially, dialysis takes over the job of the kidneys—removing toxins from the blood,” Weiss says. “Today’s machines can be programmed so an exact amount of fluid is removed. It’s much less stressful for the heart.”There are two types of dialysis, says Denine Fragano, R.N., dialysis nurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network:
Dialysis and dietPeople on dialysis need to limit their fluid intake, as well as foods high in salt, potassium and phosphorous, and they need protein at every meal. Meredith Ott, renal dietitian at Lehigh Valley Hospital, helps patients plan their diet to include essential nutrients. “Most people are surprised how quickly they learn to plan good meals,” she says. “It’s a good idea for family and friends to learn, too, so they can help.”Coping with a chronic illnessDialysis extends a person’s life, but it’s still no picnic. “Most people go through a period of grieving,” says Lehigh Valley Hospital renal social worker Angelique Nicholson. Adjusting to new limits, dialysis schedules and dietary changes is difficult. If depression is ongoing, they may need professional help. Financial counseling also is available; the cost of dialysis usually is covered by insurance and federal or state programs.Having a supportive family or friends is key to a person on dialysis. “As with so many things in life, attitude makes the difference,” Weiss says. “I have patients who go out to restaurants, concerts or movies, and travel to visit grandchildren. With a little planning, you can resume many of your former activities. Some cruise lines even offer dialysis on shipboard.” As for Evelyn Dorward, she enjoys the fact that she can attend family events again. “And I love being able to play bingo!” she says.
Want to Know More about the Dorward family’s experiences, or about helping a spouse on dialysis? Call 610-402-CARE.
Want to Know More about becoming a donor or about the Transplant Center of the Lehigh Valley? Call 610-402-CARE for a brochure. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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